Choo Chiat Goh

Choo Chiat Goh (born 1939) is a Chinese ballet dancer, choreographer, and the founder of the renowned Goh Ballet Academy, Canada, along with his wife Lin Yee.[1]

Choo Chiat Goh
Born1939 (age 83–84)
Singapore
NationalityChinese Canadian
OccupationBallet dancer
Years active1960 -
Known forGoh Ballet Academy

Early life

Goh was born in Singapore, into a family of 10 children. His parents were Chinese, and spoke Mandarin. At the age of 13, he watched The Red Shoes and fell in love with the art form. Next year, he joined the Royal Ballet School in England, and subsequently trained under dancer and choreographer Pyotr Gusev in China.[1][2] In 1959, he graduated from the Beijing Dance Academy.[3]

Career

After training, he became a principal dancer at the National Ballet of China. The Cultural Revolution of 1966 - 1976 changed the way ballet was performed in China. He went to Canada to visit his sick mother and remained there, and started the Goh Ballet Academy.[1][4][5][6]

Personal life

Goh is married to Lin Yee, also a ballet dancer. Their daughter is Chan Hon Goh.[1] One of Goh's sisters, Soonee Goh, trained at the Royal Ballet School in London and co-founded the Singapore Ballet Academy in Singapore. Another sister, Soo Khim Goh, trained at the Australian Ballet School, and was the co-founder of the Singapore Dance Theatre in 1988.[2]

Award
  • 2017 - Lifetime Achievement Award - by Vancouver Mayor, Gregor Robertson[3]
  • 2013 - Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal - by MP Hedy Fry[7]

References
  1. McIntyre, Gordon (2017-10-20). "Vancouver honour touches heart of Goh Ballet founder 39 years on". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved 2019-07-01.
  2. "Canada 150: Choo Chiat Goh left dancing in China to build ballet in Canada". Vancouver Sun. 2017-05-11. Retrieved 2018-07-25.
  3. "Mayor's Arts Award for Lifetime Achievement". vancouver.ca. 2017-10-02. Retrieved 2019-07-01.
  4. "North Van ballet dancer wins international honours". North Shore News. Retrieved 2021-11-24.
  5. "Langley ballet dancer dishes on role as a chocolate Beso". Aldergrove Star. 2019-12-03. Retrieved 2021-11-24.
  6. "Goh Ballet's Snow Queen prepares for The Nutcracker's winter wonderland". The Georgia Straight. 2010-12-08. Retrieved 2021-11-24.
  7. "Two generations of Goh Ballet family receive Jubilee medals". Georgia Straight Vancouver's News & Entertainment Weekly. 2013-01-17. Retrieved 2019-07-01.


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